CVE-2017-16040 in gfe-sass
Summary
by MITRE
gfe-sass is a library for promises (CommonJS/Promises/A,B,D) gfe-sass downloads resources over HTTP, which leaves it vulnerable to MITM attacks. It may be possible to cause remote code execution (RCE) by swapping out the requested resources with an attacker controlled copy if the attacker is on the network or positioned in between the user and the remote server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16040 affects the gfe-sass library, which implements promises following CommonJS/Promises/A,B,D standards. This library serves as a utility for handling asynchronous operations in JavaScript applications, particularly within node.js environments where promise-based workflows are common. The primary security concern stems from the library's implementation of resource downloading mechanisms that rely on unencrypted HTTP protocols rather than secure HTTPS connections. This design flaw creates a fundamental security weakness that directly violates industry best practices for secure software development and network communication.
The technical flaw in gfe-sass represents a classic man-in-the-middle attack vector where network traffic is susceptible to interception and modification. When the library downloads resources over HTTP, it fails to implement proper certificate validation or encryption mechanisms that would normally protect against attackers who can position themselves between the client and the remote server. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-319, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper use of network protocols. The absence of secure transport mechanisms means that any attacker with network access or the ability to intercept traffic can substitute legitimate resources with malicious counterparts, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception to potentially enable complete system compromise through remote code execution capabilities. When an attacker successfully replaces legitimate resources with malicious ones, they can inject code that executes within the context of the application using gfe-sass. This scenario represents a critical security failure that could lead to data breaches, system infiltration, or complete service disruption. The vulnerability affects not just individual applications but potentially entire ecosystems where gfe-sass is used as a dependency, creating cascading security implications across multiple software components. The risk is particularly severe in environments where network traffic is not properly secured at the infrastructure level, making the attack surface even more expansive.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16040 should focus on immediate protocol upgrades and architectural improvements to eliminate the reliance on insecure HTTP connections. Organizations must prioritize updating gfe-sass to versions that implement HTTPS transport for resource downloads, ensuring certificate validation and encryption are properly enforced. This remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which addresses the use of application layer protocols in malicious activities, by addressing the root cause of insecure communication channels. Additionally, network-level protections should be implemented including firewall rules that block unencrypted HTTP traffic, DNS security measures to prevent cache poisoning attacks, and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security monitoring should also be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in resource downloads or unexpected code execution within affected applications, providing early warning capabilities against potential exploitation attempts.